When open data and data activism meet: An analysis of civic participation in Cape Town, South Africa

When open data and data activism meet: An analysis of civic participation in Cape Town, South Africa

Introduction:

In recent years, there has been a growing intersection between open data and data activism, leading to increased civic participation in various cities around the world. This article aims to analyze the specific case of Cape Town, South Africa, where a municipal open data ecosystem has been evolving alongside grassroots data activism by local civil society organizations (CSOs). By examining the motivations, practices, and politics associated with this hybrid model of open data activism, we can gain insights into the potential for advancing new forms of city-citizen data relations.

The Rise of Grassroots Data Production:

The rise of open data has not solely been driven by municipal governments but has also originated at the grassroots level. With the increasing global proliferation of the Internet and mobile phones, citizens and community organizations are now actively involved in collecting, sharing, and benefiting from data produced in and about their local areas. This phenomenon is particularly evident in the Global South, where grassroots forms of data production are rapidly emerging (Mitchell and Odendaal 2015).

Data Activism: From Reactive to Proactive:

Under the umbrella of data activism, a diverse range of activities can be observed. Some are reactive and aim to challenge data accumulation and analytics by governments and corporations. Others are more proactive, focusing on the production and use of data for grassroots emancipation and empowerment. These actions are driven by the belief that data can be a powerful tool for social change (Robins 2014; Milan and van der Velden 2016; Schrock 2016; Baack 2018; Milan and Gutierrez 2018; Kennedy 2018; Lehtiniemi and Ruckenstein 2019).

The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Cape Town:

Cape Town, South Africa, stands as an example of a city where civil society organizations play a significant role in facilitating civic engagement with open data for activism. These organizations act as coordinators and encouragers, mobilizing citizens to actively participate in governance from below (Robins 2014). Their efforts have contributed to the evolution of a municipal open data ecosystem that embraces citizen participation and collaboration.

Civic Issue Tracker and Data Over the Wall Approaches:

Within Cape Town's open data ecosystem, different approaches have emerged. The civic issue tracker approach involves citizen participation in augmenting municipal data sets, creating a fully participatory model of open data. On the other hand, the data over the wall approach focuses on making data available online, often accompanied by data visualization and dashboard features. Both approaches have their merits and contribute to citizen engagement with data (source).

The Code Exchange Model: Advocating Data Use and Reuse:

In addition to the civic issue tracker and data over the wall approaches, there is a growing emphasis on the code exchange model in Cape Town. This model goes beyond making data available and promotes data use and reuse by citizens and private corporations. It advocates for a collaborative approach where cities and citizens work together to shape the agenda for future urban data needs. This shifting role of the government from data collection to provisioning opens up new opportunities for citizen and civil society actors in the open data ecosystem.

Conclusion:

The intersection between open data and data activism in Cape Town, South Africa, showcases the potential for civic participation and engagement in shaping the future of urban data. By actively involving citizens and civil society organizations in the production, use, and advocacy of data, cities can create more inclusive and participatory open data ecosystems. To further enhance this progress, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Foster collaboration between municipal governments, citizens, and civil society organizations to create a truly participatory open data model that empowers all stakeholders.

• 2. Invest in capacity-building initiatives to enhance data literacy among citizens and equip them with the skills necessary to engage with open data effectively.

• 3. Encourage the sharing of best practices and lessons learned between different cities and regions to foster innovation and continuous improvement in open data initiatives.

By following these recommendations, cities can harness the power of open data and data activism to create more transparent, accountable, and responsive governance systems that benefit all citizens. The case of Cape Town serves as a testament to the transformative potential of open data when coupled with citizen engagement and grassroots movements.